LSA Training Aircraft Welcomed to Embry Riddle

Two of four LSA present include the Evektor SportStar (foreground) and Storm Rally, along with the Tecnam Echo Super and Czech Aircraft Works SportCruiser. Evektor importer Jeff Conrad believes his LSA is presently in the lead of penetrating flight schools with 20 SportStars being used as trainers.

A month before Sun ‘n Fun helps to kick off the new year, I visited Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach as the big aero school hosted dozens of universities at the National Training Aircraft Symposium. The third of these events to gather academia with industry invited Light-Sport Aircraft to participate. University aeronautical department leaders know general aviation best but clearly recognize LSA and value their economical operation. Plus, these are aeronautical places of learning and SP/LSA is now part of the FARs they teach. Many sessions at NTAS were highly technical, aimed at helping to prepare students for airline careers. Yet every student has to solo and simple flying machines have a secure future. “The LSA panel session was lively,” said ERAU organizers, “and the questions were good.” ERAU is one of our major educators for young aviators; their interest in LSA is timely and appropriate. Read all about ERAU.